The Evercade is an upcoming handled/TV console that focuses on classic games from Atari and Namco. Now it’s getting even more support from Technos, the publisher behind Double Dragon. The console will get its games in cartridge form, with each cartridge housing between six and 20 games. The cartridges will be separated by publisher and numbered for collectors’ benefit, and the Technos addition brings the launch total to over 10 cartridges.
Evercade is set to launch on March 20, 2020. In the meantime, the company is making deals with both classic game publishers and current indie developers. The goal is to make a console that has nostalgic appeal but isn’t totally reliant on it. The most advertised launch games are those from Namco and Atari. They take up the number 01 and 02 cartridge spots and include the usual arcade hits like Pac-Man and Centipede. The newly-announced Technos Collection One appears to be cartridge number 10. It will feature Double Dragon, River City Ransom, and more to make for eight total games.
Evercade is a small handheld with four buttons and a D-pad, but it will also hook up to a TV and output HD visuals. It will also offer save states and loading in order to make progressing through the more difficult games less frustrating. Essentially, it will do all of the standard things “classic” consoles do now. The major difference is that the company is making deals with indie developers to make new games for the Evercade. No details on these games have been given, but the hope seems to be that this will give the Evercade purpose besides being the 500th Pac-Man machine.
Of course, the cartridges are the main selling point of Evercade. They will house all of the games and come in retro-style boxes. The indie games will presumably come in cartridge form as well. The way they’re marketed, it seems like Evercade wants them to appeal to collectors and those who are fiercely loyal to physical games over digital.
The cartridges will retail for $19.99. They come in numbered cases for those who like collecting. The Evercade unit itself will be $79.99. There’s also a “Premium Bundle” that comes with three cartridges and a unit for $109.99. The truly excited can go for the “All-In” bundle for around $200 that includes nine cartridges. All of these can be pre-ordered at Evercade.co.uk.
Source: Evercade
